Jay Huff isn't going to be perfect. But at least at this point, when he has a bad game, he has given the Indiana Pacers reasons to believe he will bounce back.
After a slow start to the season, Huff has suddenly turned things around and looks like a real contributor for the Pacers. In seven games from Nov. 19 through Dec. 1, he averaged 12.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 3.3 blocks. He also shot 50.8% from the field and 41.5% from beyond the arc during that stretch.
Furthermore, the Virginia alum has looked much more comfortable whenever he stepped onto the court, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. He hasn't been getting beat as often defensively, and he's doing a better job of calling switches and rotations.
The Virginia alum had a good stretch and suddenly started to look like the potential Myles Turner replacement the Pacers think he can be. However, he struggled greatly during the team's loss against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. The thing is, though, Huff has proven to the Pacers that he can contribute and be an asset. And a bad game is just that. A bad game.
Jay Huff can provide value in Indiana
On Wednesday, Huff had one of his worst games in a Pacers uniform. In the loss, he recorded three points on 1-for-6 shooting, one rebound, two assists, and two blocks in 18 minutes. He also struggled defensively (though just about anybody would if they went up against Nikola Jokic).
Despite his struggles against Denver, this was Huff's first real bad game in a few weeks. He has showcased exactly what he brings to the table and how much he can contribute when things are clicking.
The North Carolina native was a bit of a question mark when the Pacers traded for him from the Memphis Grizzlies. Before this season, he was a part of four teams in as many seasons and averaged 9.6 minutes across 95 total games during that stretch. He had shown flashes (including shooting 40.5% from deep on 3.1 attempts last season), but he hadn't had much of an opportunity to showcase his value in an expanded role.
Fortunately for Huff, he's finally getting his opportunity. And for the most part, he's making the most of it. He currently leads the league in blocks (2.3 per game), his shot is starting to fall, and he's gradually looking better in Indiana's system.
Only time will tell how high his ceiling can be, but Huff is playing some good basketball for the Pacers. And even if he has a truly bad game like he did against the Nuggets, he's done enough to prove this might just be closer to an anomaly. Not the expectation.